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Music City Maddness - 2023 Titans Draft Recap

Rookie

We've had all of 24-hours to look back on the 2023 draft, and here are the initial thoughts on how things went for the Titans.

The night started out with a bang as the Titans and Giants agreed to a trade just moments before the draft began. In a move that looks to strengthen the Titans team in the future, the Titans sent its 2023 2nd round pick to the Giants in exchange for the Giants 2024 1st round pick.

Direct Impact:
The Titans now hold the Chargers and Giants 2024 1st round picks. Although these picks don't help the Titans in the immediate future, it could be the key to turning the franchise into a dynasty for years to come. The Chargers held the 1st pick in the 2023 draft, and although they drafted top QB in the class, Buck Conrad, the team's first preseason game has shown us they still have a ways to go before becoming a playoff contender. Look for the Chargers' 1st round pick in 2024 to be in the top five.

In addition, the Titans picked up the Giants 1st round pick in 2024 just minutes before the draft. The Giants finished the 2022 season with a 4-12 record, and picked up rookie ROLB Marcus Jones with the Titans 2nd round pick to go along with stud DT Ricardo Locke. Although the team improved through the draft, it's yet to be seen how this will correlate to wins and losses.

Key Draft Additions:
With the Titans trading both their 2nd and 3rd round picks away in 2023, they had to make some key picks with the draft picks they still held.

The Titans 1st round pick, at #12 went to picking HB Denard Wingo out of Notre Dame. Wingo joins speedster HB Kyaunn Hunt and gives the Titans a formidable 1/2 punch in the backfield. This should help to take some of the pressure of QB Marcus Mariota and star WR Antwon Veros. We are very curious to see how Tennessee will utilize both backs, and there may be a change in offensive philosophy now that coach Jed Garcia has an entire year to fine tune his offense. Wingo presents a strong-bodied back that will be the "thunder" to Hunt's "lighting".

Following the 1st round pick, the Titans had to wait all the way into the 4th round to grab its next pick. With the 4th round selection, the Titans looked to strengthen the defensive line with the selection of O.C. Cole, LE out of Delaware State. This move made sense for Tennessee as starting LE Casey was brought back on a one-year deal, and will be 32 years old by the time the season ends. Cole will have to work hard to earn a starting spot on the defensive line, but the depth will be much appreciated for an aging defensive line.

In the 5th round, the Titans selected ROLB Brandon Burgess from Marshall. Burgess is a solid all around linebacker, and it looks like the key for the Titans draft in 2023 was add depth to an aging defense. Is Burgess the star linebacker of the future for Tennessee? We aren't sure, but with some hard work, he could be a key backup for an already strong group.

The Titans finished up the later rounds by adding RT Preston Burke, DT Frank Browner, CB Roman Edebali and C Austin Tasker. All of these moves look like some much needed depth to the Titans roster. Can any of these picks standout this preseason and earn a starting spot in the lineup? We will see!

Overall Draft Grade
With a shortened season in 2022, head coach Jed Garcia was given an almost impossible task of leading the Titans to the playoffs. In addition, some departures by key veterans gave the Titans some big holes to fill in its roster. Utilizing the draft, the Titans were able to add some depth to key positions, as well as picking up some solid talent. However, we aren't sure if there were any impact players taken outside of HB Wingo. The key to the Titans 2023 draft will actually be realized with the two 1st round selections in 2024.

As of now, we are giving the Titans a C+ for the 2023 draft, but this grade will be contingent on who they bring in next season. Lets just hope they don't waste the talent of franchise QB Mariota in the process.

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